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Authority Quote by Paulo Freire

“No one can learn tolerance in a climate of irresponsibility, which does not produce democracy. The act of tolerating requires a climate in which limits may be established, in which there are principles to be respected. That is why tolerance is not coexistence with the intolerable. Under an…” quote by Paulo Freire
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“No one can learn tolerance in a climate of irresponsibility, which does not produce democracy. The act of tolerating requires a climate in which limits may be established, in which there are principles to be respected. That is why tolerance is not coexistence with the intolerable. Under an authoritarian regime, in which authority is abused, or a permissive one, in which freedom is not limited, one can hardly learn tolerance. Tolerance requires respect, discipline, and ethics.”

Paulo Freire

About This Quote

Source Book: Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 1970

Tolerance thrives only in societies with clear limits, principles, and ethical discipline; without them, it collapses.

In simple terms: Tolerance needs rules and ethics to exist.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate disciplined, principled environments to foster true tolerance.

Themes

tolerance ethics politics education

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

  • school curricula
  • policy making
  • community building

Key Concepts

democracy authoritarianism discipline principles

Questions to Reflect On

  • What limits should be set for tolerance?
  • How can societies enforce ethical discipline?
A Different Perspective

Tolerance can be misused to accept harmful ideas.

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